Protective cap for infants

ABSTRACT

A protective cap for enclosing substantially the entire upper portion of an infant&#39;&#39;s head has radiation blocking material in the front thereof to prevent radiation from injuring the eyes. The top of the cap and ear openings in the sides of the cap cooperate to facilitate application while effectively retaining the cap in proper position on the head, and resilient material in a hem portion of the cap provides for snug fitting against the face without restricting circulation.

United States Patent Kampman Dec. 25, 1973 [54] PROTECTIVE CAP FORINFANTS FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Inventor: J y Kampman, NorthOlmsted, 21,036 1909 Great Britain 2/174 01110 699,548 1953 GreatBritain 2/15 [73 Assignee: Joyco, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio PrimaryExaminer-Alfred R. Guest [22] Flled: Dec. 14, 1972 App]; N0.: 315,151

AttorneyWarren A. Sklar [57] ABSTRACT A protective cap for enclosingsubstantially the entire upper portion of an infants head has radiationblocking material in the front thereof to prevent radiation frominjuring the eyes. The top of the cap and ear openings in the sides ofthe cap cooperate to facilitate application while effectively retainingthe cap in proper position on the head, and resilient material in a hemportion of the cap provides for snug fitting against the face withoutrestricting circulation 15 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PROTECTIVE CAP FORINFANTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to aprotective cap for infants and more specifically to such a cap thatprovides eye shielding protection from ultraviolet or other radiation.

Many new born infants having bilirubinemia are subjected to irradiationwith ultraviolet light as a treatment therefor. The eyes of the infant,however, must be shielded from such radiation to prevent damage to theeyes, and it is also recommended that the top of the head be shieldedfrom intense ultraviolet radiation because the fontanel is not closed,the possible ill effects of ultraviolet radiation on the relativelyfragile head not currently being known.

In the past eye shielding protection for infants having to undergoultraviolet or similar irradiation has been provided by cotton padsapplied over the eyes with bandages wrapped about the head to maintainthe pads in place. The drawbacks to such method are numerous includingthe lengthy time required to apply such bandages, the possibility ofaccidents occurring during application, and the discomfort or damagethat may occur due to a too tightly wrapped applied bandage. Also,discomfort may occur when the pad is applied to an open eye or thebandage is wrapped holding an ear in a folded position. The applicationof such eye pads and bandages is difficult because tape cannot be usedon infants due to skin sensitivity, and there is no means to retain thebandage in position once applied. Often an infant turns its head whileunder the ultraviolet lamp causing the bandages and pads to move fromproper protective position, thus exposing the eyes to radiation orproducing pressure on the nose that impedes breathing.

One prior art device that provides eye shielding protection for infantsis described in US. Pat. No. 3,541,608. The device described in thatpatent, however, does not provide full shielding protection for the topof the head, and it requires the use of a chin strap and a detachablefastening strap to retain the device in position on the head. Such achin strap may cause choking or impede breathing. The chin strap alsomay hinder the often required suctioning to clear mucous in the airpassages, and the fastening strap may detach permitting the device tomove from its eye shielding position on the head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a primary object of the inventionis to provide a cap for infants to shield the eyes from radiation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a disposable eye shieldingcap for protecting an infant from radiation.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a protective cap forshielding the eyes and upper head of an infant from radiation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a radiation shieldingcap for an infant which is retained in position on an infant's head byits ears.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a snugly fittingradiation shielding cap for an infant to prevent irradiation of the eye.

Still an additional object of the invention is to provide a disposableprotective cap for infants formed of sterile, absorbent, light weight,durable, and ventilating material.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described, the followingdescription and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail certainillustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative,however, of but several of the various ways in which the principals ofthe invention may be employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the annexed drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective cap positioned on the headof an infant;

FIG. 2 is a section view taken through the center of the protective capof FIG. 1 showing the two layers of material forming the cap;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the protective cap of FIG. 1 showing oneof the seams thereof;

FIG. 4 is a section view of a modified single layer protective cap;

FIG. 5 is a section view of a further modified protective cap formed ofa single piece of material; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section view of another modifled protective capwith opaque material at the eye shielding portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawingwherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in the severalfigures, a protective cap generally indicated at 10 is shown positionedon an infants head in FIG. 1. The cap 10 is formed of two elements todefine a head enclosure, the first element being a generally cylindricalcircumferential side portion 11 and the second element being a generallycircular top portion 12. The top 12 of the cap 10 is substantiallycontinuous to provide radiation shielding protection for the top of thehead as well as to distribute the forces produced by the cap evenly overthe top of the head. An ear opening 13, only one of which is shown inthis figure although there is preferably one for each ear, in thecircumferential side portion 11 with means, such as for example,stitching 14, therearound to prevent fraying and to avoid sharp edges,permits the infants ears 15 to extend therethrough for retaining the capin position on the head.

An eye shielding portion 16 is fixed in position at the front of the capto cover the infants eyes for blocking radiation therefromfSuch eyeshielding or protective portion 16 may be, for example, a regulationshielding pad, such as cotton or other material that prevents radiationfrom reaching the infants eyes, and may be, for example, sewn inposition to the appropriate area proximate the front of thecircumferential side portion 11 by stitching 17, 17a. A hem portion 18formed at the lower section of the circumferential side portion 11extending about the perimeter thereof includes some resilient material,such as for example elastic material, for maintaining the cap snuglyagainst the bridge of the nose 19 and cheek 20 of the infant topreventradiation from penetrating beneath the cap to the eyes, althoughthe resilient material may be formed as part of the cap or otherwisefastened to the cap.

Infants with bilirubinemia often undergo treatment for 48 hours, and thecap should be removed for feedings that occur approximately at 6 hourintervals. The cap 10 preferably is sterile and disposable, wherebyafter a single use it may be discarded, another cap being used for thenext treatment to maintain sterile conditions. It is important that thecap be relatively soft to avoid discomfort to the infant; and preferablythe cap is formed of non-woven fabric or paper material, which is softto avoid discomfort, absorbent to absorb perspiration, light weight topermit the infant easily to move its head, durable and somewhatdeformable to withstand application and rubbing, and porous to permitventilation and air circulation therethrough. It has been found that theabsorbent and ventilating properties tend to provide a cooling effectfor the head to balance the heat produced by the ultraviolet lamp usedin the irradiation treatment.

Turning now more specifically to FIG. 2 in which the ear opening 14 andthe side of the hem 18 are shown for clarity, the cap 10 has thecircumferential side portion 11 formed by a single piece of materialfolded at the hem 19 to provide a double layer of material surroundingthe head. Between the inner and outer layers 21, 22 is positioned theregulation eye pad 16, such as cotton or other material as describedabove; and means, such as for example, the stitching 17 through bothlayers, maintains the eye pad in position between the two layers whiledefining the hem portion 18 within which the resilient or elasticmaterial 23 is retained. The circular top portion 12 of the cap 10 isalso formed of two layers of material, for example, sewn to thecircumferential side portion 11 by the stitching 24. The lower edge ofthe hem portion 18 at the sides and the back of the head defines a firstgenerally horizontal plane 25, as shown, and the edge of the hem portionat the bridge of the nose 19 and the cheek defines a second plane 26angled with respect to the first, both planes intersecting at a location27 between the front and back of the cap 10. This arrangement providesfor snug fitting against the face especially at the nose portion 28 ofthe cap without producing circulation restrictions because the forcesproduced by the resilient or elastic material 23 do not act on the headin only a continuous single plane. The stitching 17 about the perimeterof the cap 10 defines the hem portion 18 and together with the stitching17a retains the eye pad 16 and the resilient material 23 in positionbetween the two layers of material 21, 22 in the circumferential sideportion 11.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the cap 10 is shown in perspective toillustrate the seam 29 at which the edges of the circumferential sideportion 11 are fastened at the back of the cap to form the generallycylindrical shape thereof. The stitching 14 at the ear openings 13 inthe sides of the cap 10 fastens the two layers of material 21, 22 in thecircumferential side portion 11 to prevent abrasions of the infantsears. The hem portion 18 extends about the entire perimeter of the lowersection of the circumferential side portion v11 of the cap 10 withresilient material therein, and the eye pad 16 at the front of the capis fastened in position by the stitching 17 and 17a to protect the eyesfrom radiation.

In the modified form of protective cap shown generally at 30 in FIG. 4,the circumferential side portion 31 and the circular top portion 32 areformed from respective single layers of material fastened together bystitching 33 at the top of the cap. The eye pad 34, similar to thatdescribed above, is retained in position by a piece of material 35,which is fastened to the circumferential side portion 31 by stitching36, although, if de sired, the eye pad itself may be sewn directly tothe circumferential side portion. The lower hem portion 37 is formed bythe lower section of the circumferential side portion 31 which is foldedover and sewn to itself by stitching 38 with the resilient or elasticmaterial 39 in position within the hem. The hem portion 37 curves upwardat the nose portion 40 as described above. The circumferential sideportion 31 is sewn together at the seam 41 near the back of the capbehind the ear openings 42 to define the generally cylindrical shape ofthe cap described above. Since the circumferential side portion 31 is asingle layer of material, no stitching is required at the ear openingsfor fastening purposes as described above with respect to the multilayercap 10, although such stitching may be used, if desired, to preventabrasions to the ear and to prevent fraying.

The modified protective cap 50, illustrated in FIG. 5, has thecircumferential side portion 51 and the generally circular top portion52 formed by a single piece of material 53, such as that describedabove. The cap may be formed, for example, by molding, pressing,stamping, or other similar method obviating the need to sew the top andside together. The ear openings 54 are cut out from the sides of the capand may include stitching about the perimeters thereof to avoid frayingand/or abrasions as described above. The eye pad 55 is maintained inposition in the front of the cap 50 by a piece of material fastened tothe cap by stitching 57. The lower hem portion 58 curved upward at thenose portion 59 is defined by the lower section of the circumferentialside portion 51 folded over and sewn to itself by stitching 60 to holdthe resilient or elastic material 61 in position.

A portion of a modified protective cap is shown in FIG. 6 as a singleelement or piece of material forming the circumferential side portion 71and the generally circular top portion 72 of the cap similar to the cap50 in FIG. 5. The front 73 of the cap, which overlaps the eyes of theinfant, is formed of opaque material 74, such as for example, an opaquedye or other opaque substance to prevent ultraviolet radiation frompenetrating the material to the eyes. The hems 75 curved upward at thenose portion 76 is formed by the lower section of the circumferentialside portion 71 folded over the resilient or elastic material 77 andsewn to itself by the stitching 78.

While the various parts of the cap have been described above as beingsewn together, such parts also may be fastened together by glueing,press-fitting, or other means for fastening the material together.

The above described caps may be pulled into position over the top of thehead, and the ears are slightly folded and pulled through the earopenings. Thus, the generally circular top portion of the cap does notpermit the cap to slide down over the face to cover the nose or mouth,and the ears protruding through the respective ear openings retain thecap on the head keeping same from sliding off or from rotating to aposition where the eyes woud no longer be protected. The stitching aboutthe ear openings protects the ears from abrasions.

The generally circular continuous top portion of the cap alsodistributes the pressure thereof substantially evenly over the top ofthe head, which is fragile and often lumpy due to the traumas incurredat birth. The forces applied by the resilient or elastic material in thehem portion of the cap retain the front of the cap in snug eyeprotecting position along the bridge of the nose and cheek, generallyfollowing the contours of the face without applying excessive pressure.While the cap itself fits snugly against the face, the eye pad or otherradiation blocking portion does not place undue pressure on the eyes,thus permitting opening and closing thereof at the whim of the infant.The eye pads illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5 as well as the opaquematerial shown in FIG. 6 absorb or reflect radiation to prevent samefrom reaching the eyes.

Thus, as now may be understood, the invention provides a protective capfor infants to shield the eyes and head thereof from radiation, such asultraviolet radiation used in the treatment for bilirubinemia. The capis easily applied, efficiently retained in position without complicatedfastening elements, comfortable, sterile and disposable.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A protective cap for infants comprising head enclosure meansincluding a continuous top portion and a circumferential side portionfor enclosing the upper part of the head, openings formed in the sidesof said side portion for permitting the ears to extend therethrough tomaintain said cap in position on the head, resilient means for retainingsaid cap snugly against the face, and radiation shielding means at thefront of said cap for shielding the eyes against radiation.

2. A protective cap for infants as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidradiation shielding means comprises opaque dye in said front of saidcap.

3. A protective cap for infants as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidradiation shielding means comprises opaque material.

4. A protective cap for infants as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidradiation shielding means comprises pad means for blocking radiation.

5. A protective cap for infants as set forth in claim 4 wherein said padmeans comprises cotton.

6. A protective cap for infants as set forth in claim 4 wherein said padmeans comprises a radiation blocking pad means sewn to said front ofsaid cap.

7. A protective cap for infants as set forth in claim 1 furthercomprising means for preventing abrasions positioned about the perimeterof said openings.

8. A protective cap for infants as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidcircumferential side portion comprises a lower section, and hem meansformed at said lower section for containing said resilient means.

9. A protective cap for infants as set forth in claim 8 wherein said hemmeans extends about the remote perimeter of said lower section anddefines a first plane extending at least from the back of said captoward said front thereof and a second plane at an angle with respect tosaid first plane extending from said front of said cap proximate a noseportion thereof to a location between said front and back of said cap atwhich said second plane intersects said first plane.

10. A protective cap for infants as set forth in claim 9 wherein saidresilient means comprises elastic material.

11. A protective cap for infants. as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidhead enclosure means comprises a single layer of material.

12. A protective cap for infants. as set forth in claim 1 furthercomprising stitching for fastening together said continuous top portionand said circumferential side portion.

13. A protective cap for infants as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidcontinuous top portion and said circumferential side portion comprise asingle piece of mateferential side portion.

1. A protective cap for infants comprising head enclosure meansincluding a continuous top portion and a circumferential side portionfor enclosing the upper part of the head, openings formed in the sidesof said side portion for permitting the ears to extend thErethrough tomaintain said cap in position on the head, resilient means for retainingsaid cap snugly against the face, and radiation shielding means at thefront of said cap for shielding the eyes against radiation.
 2. Aprotective cap for infants as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidradiation shielding means comprises opaque dye in said front of saidcap.
 3. A protective cap for infants as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid radiation shielding means comprises opaque material.
 4. Aprotective cap for infants as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidradiation shielding means comprises pad means for blocking radiation. 5.A protective cap for infants as set forth in claim 4 wherein said padmeans comprises cotton.
 6. A protective cap for infants as set forth inclaim 4 wherein said pad means comprises a radiation blocking pad meanssewn to said front of said cap.
 7. A protective cap for infants as setforth in claim 1 further comprising means for preventing abrasionspositioned about the perimeter of said openings.
 8. A protective cap forinfants as set forth in claim 1 wherein said circumferential sideportion comprises a lower section, and hem means formed at said lowersection for containing said resilient means.
 9. A protective cap forinfants as set forth in claim 8 wherein said hem means extends about theremote perimeter of said lower section and defines a first planeextending at least from the back of said cap toward said front thereofand a second plane at an angle with respect to said first planeextending from said front of said cap proximate a nose portion thereofto a location between said front and back of said cap at which saidsecond plane intersects said first plane.
 10. A protective cap forinfants as set forth in claim 9 wherein said resilient means compriseselastic material.
 11. A protective cap for infants as set forth in claim1 wherein said head enclosure means comprises a single layer ofmaterial.
 12. A protective cap for infants as set forth in claim 1further comprising stitching for fastening together said continuous topportion and said circumferential side portion.
 13. A protective cap forinfants as set forth in claim 1 wherein said continuous top portion andsaid circumferential side portion comprise a single piece of material.14. A protective cap for infants as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidhead enclosure means comprises absorbent ventilating material.
 15. Aprotective cap for infants as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidcontinuous top portion and said circumferential side portion eachcomprise two layers of material, said radiation shielding means beingpositioned between said two layers of material forming saidcircumferential side portion.